The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, by Eric Hoffer

Author Eric Hoffer analyzes and attempts to explain the motives of the various types of personalities that give rise to mass movements; why and how mass movements start, progress and end; and the similarities between them, whether religious, political, radical or reactionary. Hoffer believes that mass movements are interchangeable, that adherents will often flip from one movement to another, and that the motivations of mass movements are interchangeable; and that religious, nationalist and social movements, whether radical or reactionary, tend to attract the same type of followers, behave in the same way and use the same tactics even when their stated goals or values differed. Come discuss Hoffer's ideas and share your own. As a reminder, this is a book discussion; the author will not be present.